A lot is riding on the 1-ton, $2.5-billion Curiosity, which will drill and poke the Martian soil to study the planet’s geologic history and search for signs of habitability. The flagship rover mission is scheduled to land on Mars just after 10:30 p.m. Pacific (1:30 a.m. Eastern) on Aug. 5.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to watch the probe actually plunge into the Martian atmosphere and undertake the carefully orchestrated sequence of landing events known as the “Seven Minutes of Terror.” Even the radio waves that indicate the rover’s position have to obey the laws of physics and recognize the 14-minute communications delay between Earth and Mars.

But there are still plenty of ways to catch the action online and feel like you’re getting a front-row seat for NASA’s next big mission.

The first place to check out will be here, at Wired Science, where we will be providing two live feeds from JPL, the rover’s headquarters, via NASA TV. The first feed will feature commentary from scientists and engineers who work on Curiosity and will play Aug. 5 from 8:30 to 11 p.m. Pacific (11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Eastern) and then again from 12:30 to 1:30 a.m. Pacific (3:30 to 4:30 Eastern) on Aug. 6. For those looking for to get the nitty-gritty behind-the-scenes details, the second feed will carry only audio from mission controllers regarding Curiosity’s progress and will begin on Aug. 5 at 8:30 p.m. Pacific (11:30 Eastern). If all goes well, NASA has stated that they might be able to share the first image from the ground during these feeds, likely a shot of the rover’s wheel indicating that everything’s in working order.

We will also host another great feed created by Universe Today, the SETI Institute, and CosmoQuest. On their Google+ page, the team will have commentary by astronomers Pamela Gay and Phil Plait and feature live coverage from JPL and the Planetary Society’s PlanetFest with reporters Scott Lewis and Amy Shira Teitel. Those interested can find more information and sign up to “attend” the Hangout on Air. The show will begin at 8 p.m. Pacific (11 p.m. Eastern) and go four hours, covering the entire landing sequence and aftermath.

One more feed will be from the Exploratorium in San Francisco. This webcast will start at 10:15 p.m. Pacific (1:15 a.m. Eastern) on Aug. 5, just when the rover is expected to be touching its wheels down on Mars. The museum’s staff and visiting scientists will be on hand to talk all about the exciting mission and provide updates as they come in.

For a little extra fun, check out NASA’s Eyes on the Solar System, which uses real spacecraft data to provide beautiful 3D images of planets and moons. You can use the tool to see exactly where Curiosity is right now as it approaches Mars, and even watch a simulated sequence of the rover’s trip to the surface. Turn it on during the probe’s actual live descent on Sunday night and feel like you’re going on the terrifying ride with the rover.